A look at Google's Chromecast (pictures)

Google's Chromecast is an HDMI dongle

Designed to plug into the back of any TV with an HDMI port, the Chromecast dongle is intended to provide easy access to streaming video. It's available for just $35 starting today in the U.S., with availability in other countries to follow.

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

More Information

The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

More Information

The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

More than just a stick

As sleek as the Chromecast device looks, Google's initial presentation skimmed over some of the rougher edges. The specs in the Google Play store list both a USB power cable and a power adapter, which indicate that the Chromecast will have some wires hanging off it -- it's not truly "just a stick." It's the same method PLAiR used to power its similar HDMI-based streaming stick.

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Tiny but powerful

In addition to HDMI, the hardware itself supports 2.4GHz WiFi 802.11, which isn't quite as nice as the dual-band Wi-Fi offered on Roku's Streaming Stick. The internal processor is capable of playing back full 1080p video with 5.1 surround sound.

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Simple setup

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Netflix streaming

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Smartphone control

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Smartphone view

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Multiple screens

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Music support

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Browser integration

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Chrome browser broadcasting

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Hands on: Tablet control

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Hands on: Device connected

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Hands on: 'Just missed'

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Hands on: Music streaming

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Hands on: Music streaming

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The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review

Hands on: Music streaming

More Information

The Bottom Line: Technically, the Chromecast is a wonder to behold. If all you want is a cheap way to get iPlayer and Netflix, it's a good choice, but it needs more content before it becomes a must-buy for most.Read full review